Jesus

Jesus: the Wonder-Counselor

Jesus: the Wonder-Counselor

...During their sorrowful journey, Jesus himself approaches and begins to walk with the two.  The Risen Lord is intuitively aware of their negative beliefs of course, but before admonishing them, he asks them to expound further about their distressed state.  What follows is arguably the longest continual one-way dialog anyone has with Jesus in the Gospels (Luke 24: 18-24).  It appears Jesus is simply allowing them to get grief, frustration, and hopelessness out of their system.  Nevertheless, Jesus knew that catharsis alone was not enough to transform these sojourners.  He understood that only by firmly calling them out on their irrational and unsubstantiated beliefs could progress be made....

What We can Learn from Jesus and Therapists

What We can Learn from Jesus and Therapists

...The revelation of Jesus comes to us in a powerful way through the Gospels which describe his interaction with different people.  In these encounters, Jesus relates to people in a way that seems to always produces some type of spiritual and psychological growth.   There are few people whom Jesus encountered who grew and changed as much and as quickly as a tax collector named Zacchaeus (Lk 19: 1-10).  This story is of a man who climbs a tree to escape the crowds and make great effort to see Jesus for himself.  To Zacchaeus’ surprise, Jesus not only sees him but says to him...

Prayer Part II: Okay I Know What Prayer Means, But How Important Is It?

Prayer Part II: Okay I Know What Prayer Means, But How Important Is It?

"... But here’s the thing: there will always be “another thing” to distract you. Really. A “thing” that seems the most important that will make you question if you’re able to multitask and pray...

So: if we don’t pray, then we aren’t talking to God and if we aren’t talking to God, then we aren’t building a genuine relationship. If we aren’t building a genuine relationship, how do we expect to present ourselves to Him in Heaven?..."

 

The Transfiguration: A Reflection for Progress in the Spiritual Life

The Transfiguration: A Reflection for Progress in the Spiritual Life


 It begins as Jesus takes his three closest disciples Peter, James, and John to the top of a mountain where they are clearly set apart; "holiness" in the Jewish tradition means to be “set apart” from the world for God’s purpose. In the spiritual life, this happens as we find our vocational calling, as we become less worldly, and hopefully as we grow in virtue. These steps while of God and important and necessary, are not enough--we are set apart so that we can go farther into God's love.